The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-09
THE NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Arrangements for the Convention To Be
Held in Cincinnati This Month.
The Henry George Party Will Not Be Taken
Into the New Movement, but All Other
ReformerS Will Be Acceptable.

United States would heartily join the new or
ganizaton. The movement started off with
boom, and the first backset it received was when
the sxty-eight thousand men who voted for
Henry George in New York city held confer
ence and decided to organize National party,
with principles based on the Henry George idea.
The George movement was so near akin to the
one originating in this city that
a conflict at once began. Having the
priority, the originators of the movement
here attempted to induce the George supporters
to abandon their project, and unite with the In
dustrial representative in the Western States in
forming the proposed party. With this end in
view, great deal of correspondence passed be-
tween S. L. Douglass, of this city, the secretary
Of the Western movement, and Davert Barnes,
of New York, the secretary of the Henry George
movement. On behalf of their organ
izatons, the gentlemen urged that each
should join the other in their
spectlve movement The matter finally
came to rest when Barnes issued public let
ter declaring that the Henry George supporters
would stand by their determination to organize
party. What the instigators of the Western
movement would then do was matter Of spec
ulation, and what they have done has been kept
to themselves, as much as possible.
When a Journal reporter called upon S. L.
Douglass, secretary of the national executive
committee of the Western movement at his
residence, No. 282 Indiana avenue, last evening,
he found the gentleman busly engaged prepar-
ing circulars to send out relating to the
coming convention. "Of course the con-
vention is going to be held" was his
answer to the reporters inquiry. and 'it
is going to be an affair beyond
all our anticipations. When Barnes sent out
his public letter received instructions from our
president. B. S. Heath. of Chicago, to leave the
George alone, and 1 have done So We
have heard nothing more from them, and do not
expect to hear anything Having cut loose from
them, presume they will hold convention of
their own and attempt to organize party We
know they will not have any representatives at
at our convention. and we do not want them to
have. If they should come they would only
create discussions, and perhaps prevent the
ganization of the party we contemplate.
"Does the Henry George movement have any
followers outside of New York city?"
every few. l have received letters from
farmers all over the West who denounce his
land ideas, and urge US to keep them out of the
convention. There are organizations all over
tue country tOdt are lOuDQeQ on Ol3 IDEAS, out
| in his movement to organize third party they
are not with him. These organizations have
all appointed delegates to attend conven-
ton, with the exception of those in New York city
and in the State of California. l do not believe
his movement has much following even in
New York city. The sixty-eight thousand per-
sons who Joined with him last fall not all
simply s''fd voted With for his h Gpn'ps' as ansy
parties. Outside of New York city
| All the opposition we have met with has been
| in California. The followers of Henry George
| in that State have notified US that they viii! take
| no part in our movement We have met with
| announcement from every State in the Union.
and with the exception of two three Southern
States they have all elected their full quota of
delegates. The most announcement we have
| had has come from the New England States The
opposition to the old parties is stronger there
than elsewhere, and the people are joining our
movement with enthusiasm. After we are
organized there will be no third party in
existence Our delegates will consist of
men representing the following organizations:
Labor party. Farmers Alliance Changers and
| Patrons of Husbandry Antimonopoly League,
Peoples party, Farmers and Laborers' Cooper
alive Union, Agricultural Wheels, Soldiers
| Organization, and all other organizations which
are in sympathy with movement"
| twill there be any difficulty in harmonizing
all these organizations upon any set Of prin-
ciples9'
that the convention will be so large that an
| agreement cannot be reached. I have been
in correspondence with these organiza-
tons all over the United States and the
sentiment seems to be to harmonic without
much wrangling. The principles of nearly all
these organizations are much the same. The
only questions on which we have fears of d.
vision are those concerning finance and land.
The monopoly question is dying out, and do
not think the word will be used in any platform
we may make. It Will be the object Of the con-
YeDtiQn to oppose any more land grants, limita-
ton to ownership and the retaining of all lands
where the owner has not lived up to his con-
tract"
Are all the arrangements complete for the
convention?'
There is but little to be done yet The con-
vention will assemble at Music Hail. Cincin
natl Feb % The present indication is that
there will be 1,5oO delegates there, and perhaps
as many more persons who will not be delegates.
The object Of the convention Will be to adopt a
national platform, appoint national committee,
and arrange for the appointment of committee
in every State and Territory of the Union.
Wirepulling will not be allowed, and the only
contest will be for place on the national com
, mittee. 1t is probable that General Weaver
Col S F. Norton, of Chicago. or Congressman
tional executive committee will meet in Cincn
, natl on Feb. 81"
Twill the Knights of Labor act in body with
the new party that is to be organized" was
asked of one of the more prominent Knights OF
the city yesterday. THAT depends upon VIVA,
kind of principles they adopt. said he. ''Wha
} We shall demand and expect of the platform will
, be planks favoring an abridgment Of the K of l.
| and Henry George platform of New York; tn,
abolition Of national banks, and the issuance O
money direct from the government to the PEG
Pile: the election of United States Senators direc
by the people; or the adjustment of the Unite'
States Senate the election of President an,
r Vice-president direct by the people, and tn
abandonment of the Electoral College, woman
0 suffrage; law providing for the deferred pay
ment of public debts; laws regulating the hold
ing of lands; legislation placing railroads an
telegraph lines directly under the jurisdiction @
) the government"
| Views of Another Member of the Committee
, | pittsburg Disnateh